Removable tray for traveling-bags.



K. C. BRIGGS. REMOVABLE TRAY FOR TRAVELING BAGS. APPLICATION FILED |AN.23, ma.

Patented Apr. 15, 1919.

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K. C. BRIGGS.

REMOVABLE TRAY FOR TRAVELING BAGS.

.APPUCATION FILED JAN. 23.1918. 1 ,300,921 Patented Apr. 15, 1919.

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REMOVABLE TRAY FOR TRAVELING BAGS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 23.1918.

Patented Apr. 15, 1919.

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Patented Apr. 15, 1919 4 SHEETSr-SHEET 4.

K. C. BRIGGS.

REMOVABLE TRAY FOR TRAVELING BAGS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.23, I9I8.

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" lTED sT Tns PTEN KATHARINE c. BRIGGS, or WASHINGTON, DIsTRIcT oFoOLUMBIA. I

REMOVABLE TRAY FOR TRAVELING-BAGS. I

, Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr;

Application filed January 213, 1918. Serial No. 213,377.

satchel.

The most convenient and popular traveling bagis the-type'which opens at the top and has a centrally hinged frame which opens outwardly into a rectangularshape substantially the size of the interior of the bag, thetwo sections folding together upon a vertical median line when closed, the sides of the bag moving inwardly with the frame. This type of bag is compact and easily handled, but has the disadvantage of not being the proper shape to receive articles of clothing, such as coats, shirts, waists and skirts without being folded into a. very small compass, causing them to be wrinkled and misshapen. Moreover it is diflicult to arrange the contents of the bag in an orderly manner and practically impossible to keep them so after one or two attempts to find and regiove articles from different parts of the ag The purpose of myinvention is to overcome the defects above mentioned-and to provide atray in which coats, waists, skirts, etc., may be laid outfull length or nearly so and when the tray is placed in position in the bag, other miscellaneous articles may be packed without disturbing'or crushing the contents of the tray. I also provide separable portions of the-tray which'serve to protect the previously packed portion and also provideseparate compartments for the reception of toilet articles, stationery, etc.

My invention will be understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a traveling hand bag with the top open and showing a tray embodying my invention arranged in normal position, Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same; Figs. 3 and 4 are .tionery, etc. .I provlde an auxiliary tray ;member--30, adapted to extend from side to side across transverse vertical sectional views of the satchelor bag in open and ClOSGdPOSltlOIL respectively and showmg-an end viewof the removable tray members;rFig. 5'is a perspective ,view of the main tray member with the detachable supporting cover mem ber attached thereto; Fig. 6, is a perspective View of the detachable member with its sides secured together toform a rack for stationcry and adapted .to be placed ona table .orother support; Fig.7 is a perspective view of one of the stiffening members which may be removed from'a pocket in thelbottom or this stiffening member being constructed in a manner to form a utility case for' needles, plns, etc.-; Fig. 8 1s a top plan view, partly I, broken away, of. the main tray member; Fig. 9, 1s a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View of the sameyand-Fig. 10, is a bottom plan view of the upperztraymember.

, The leather traveling .bag or satchel 1, 1s the well-known type having a topmetal frame 2, composed of interfitting sections WlllCll are h nged together sothat they may be swung outwardly into'the open position shown in Fig. '1, or brought together; into closed position illustrated in Fig. 4.

The tray comprises a maincontaineror,

casing 5, adapted to-- receive the principal articles of clothing and a detachable cover -member provided with compartments or pockets to receive various toilet articles, stathe upper. part of the satchel and be supported upon the upper edges ofthe main ,tray. 7

' The clothing containerportion of the tray preferably has a length substantially equal to the height of the two sides and the .width of the bottom of the satchel, and a .width equalto the length of the bottom of V the satchel, so thatit 'willconform to the :inner dimensions of the satchel-or bag when inserted. It may be formed, of linen or othersuitable fabric, the outer or :back portion 5 being made two-ply with an 'interposedflexible stiffening sheet 6, of buckram or other suitable material, the ends being further stiffened with thin steel strips -5". Fla s 7 and 7 of linen or other fabric-exten from the opposite side edges and; form overlapping, covers and ever these est-end central section of the detachable member,j

In addition to the main tray, a

the end flaps 18,18 which are secured to the ends along their outer edges and maybe provided with pockets 8 The end flaps 'may be retained-by 00nd loops :9 tastenedto the back part and passing over buttons 10 sewed to the inner corners :'.O-f thel flapsror .vin

any other desired manner.

v'll ie cover portion v1:5 is'detachably secured to the clothing container portion 5, by

means of snap fasteners -16, is shorter than the container. 5, so that the ends of the latter must be. swung inwardly "before the part "1 5 ca-n be fastened, to thereby provide a space 17; between' the parts at their central portions, as indicated Figs. 3 and 4. At

, tionsythe intermediate central portion being 'te al formed intop'oclre'ts 19 to receive'sti'ffening :devices which vimay 'conveni'eifla'ly be constructed to form utility cases, as illustrated buckram ortheli ke, and hinged; at, one end, -the 'spa ce betv'vgeen' being utilizedas a recepsac 1e for pins, biittond thimbles, spools, etc. rheeentml part of t'he member 15 is thus re" fercecl with two layers-of stiffeni gmaj -renderin g it-"more ri-gid than'the'other pai't's, are l urtherostifi'ene'd iby means of fthin steelst'iiips 15 insertedbe iP oclrets fldor ithe reception, of writing vmaterials, paper en elops,mete. may be placed on -the"='inner-sides of the member 15, by "sewing strips'of fabric 15"tl-1'e-reto. I-t is'eftenconvenieritto place ones sta- 1tioneryzon a table or desk or 'on the seat in atrainbr railroad station. *Forthis purpose a ffierthe member 15 is detached, the *c'nd-s may -beswung'hackwardly until they meet and may be secured by means offthe snap' fasteners in the manner --i-n-di'ca-t 'ed in 6,-*t'hns bringing the'pocke'ts containin the stationery upon'theoutside; In this manner the'meniber 15 may be utilized temorari1yas a paipersrack, the innerjtriangular. space alst forming a convenient "recep- -*ta' le er pigeonhole for papers or other articles.

Aft'er -ith 'e main tray has been placed in position in the -b'a'gft he auxihary'hammock r 'jended' across -the-jintervening space and is supported upon the to dges or the :main member 'in the 1, manner illustrated in Figs.

1 ,soo,921

made of linen or other suitable material secured at the corners to rods 25, which are preferably of wood. Pockets 30" may be provided :upon-:-eith er; side to receive toilet or other articles which it is convenient to haverea'dily accessible. The endsof the --f-abric body are recessed into substantially V-zshape 'in order to permit the ends-of the bag to bulge inwardly as it is closed, the

*e-nds'of therods-25yfitting into the recesses of the bag between the sides and the inwardly bulging end portions *1, being held thereby in proper position and assisting to hold the main tray, membergagainst the sidesof the description of the parts. li o remove it from the satchel or bag, the auxiliary men-iber30 is first 7 removed y] "lifting the rods '25 out of the end recesses. The main tray is then removed; grasping one-end" and pulling it upwardly, the resiliency of thesti-ffening 7 material therein causing the central "bottom portion and the other endte follow around the inner side of the bag so that -the 't-ray will be straightened =011 'tin the "position shown in Fig. -'5, when it'is entirely removed. When it is, laid lama-table or other support,

niitting the main tray member {to lie flait.

The loops 9 are i then uniastened from the hilt-tons lfO, so that the end-na s 8, 8 inner'flaps 7 '7 may beyopened ou-t' and thrown back to-exp ose the entire tray. As

previously stated, {the lengthofthe "main tray member is substantially equal to the height of the two sides plus thewidthof clothes indicated at' 13, can thus {be laid out and packed in tray with the same iffacilityas in thetr ay o-f'a trunk. vAfter the clothing has beenthus laid inpos'ition,

the side and end flaps are brought back into closed position shown in '8, by means the bottom off -the bag. The tray is thus about a third longerthan the length of-the bag' and i's'suflicientlylong to receive a coat, waist or skirt at-full "lengthfl A {suit of the loops-9. Thepockets-B nny be filled,

i-l desired, after which tlie detachable member 15 may be secured in position thereon by means-ofthesnapffasteners 16, As previo'n'sl y stated, it is necessary to first bend the end portions ofthe' main tray upwardly somewhatin or der ='to fasten the 7 member 15,

this provision' being made for the purpose 7 of causing a space 1'7 between the entra'l (5-5-1it'o 4. 'Thisamxiliary-tray member'may' be parteiithevgletaehabiemember andthe-sen- 100 thesnapfastenings'16';aredisc'onnected and 5 the detachable member 15 isremoved, per- 1 ,soo,921

ter of the main tray 1 as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4:. After the utility or jewel cases 20 have been inserted in the pockets 19- extending from opposite sides of the central part of'the member 15, and the pockets l5 have been packed with Stationery or other desired articles, the tray is inserted in the bag by bringing'the ends toward each other until they are substantially perpendicular to the central part, when the tray may bepressed downwardly into the bag, occupying the position illustrated in Fig. 3. If desired, magazines'or other articles may first be placed in the bottom of the bag as'I have indicated at 22, or they --may be slipped between the outer sides of the tray and the bag without interfering with the operation of the tray. It will be observed that the tray conforms to the inner contour of the bag so that a large central space 26 remains to receive other articles of apparel and'the luggage which is to be carried. [Therarticles packed in this central space areheld by the detachable member 15 which is suspended upon the snap fasteners 16, the weight" being supported largely by the reinforcing stiffening material6 in the'walls ofthe tray, so that no pressure is brought against the clothing packed in the'main tray and the contents, therefore, remain uncrushed. After the bag has been packed as described, the auxiliary hammock tray member 30 is suspended across the bag opening, being supported by the rods 25 which rest upon the upper edges of the main tray. The pockets 30" upon either side of this hammock tray may receive various articles which I have indicated at 27, 28, 29. This suspended tray member serves not only to hold various small articles, but also serves as a screen to shield from view the contents of the bag, thus presenting a neat appearance whenever it is opened.

By reason of the construction and arrangement of parts above described, the tray members conform at all times to the shape of the sides of the bag, the upper portions of the tray members being moved inwardly or outwardly as the bag is closed or opened in the manner indicated in Figs. 3 and 4:.

I have described in detail the particular construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings for the purpose of clearly disclosing an embodiment of my invention, but it will be understood that various changes and modifications may [be made within the scope of my claims and without in any manner departing from my invent-ion. The advantages of my tray construction will now be appreciated. It is essentially a removable clothing container or tray which must be taken from the travelin bag and must lie flat before it can be pacfied or un packed. Its flexibility enables it to readily conform to the inner contour of the bag, while its stiffening lining or reinforcement provides a resiliency which tends to maintain it in a fiat position when 1t is removed and to cause it to sprmg outwardly against the sides of the bag when it is inserted ther in so that it will naturally conform to the movementsof the bag and the sides with its pockets will remain spaced apart, thus leaving the entire central space in the bag unobstructed so that it may be packed and unpacked as usual. One of the greatest advantages possessed "by my removable tray resides in the fact that the various articles of clothing, such as coats, waists, skirts, etc.,

may be laid out substantially at full length T when they are packed and they will be prevented from being crushed or wrinkled because they are maintained in position within the flaps of'the tray. I

I claim 1. A removable tray for satchels or traveling bags, comprising a flexible clothing contamer having a length substantially equal to the'width of the bag and the combined height of the sides thereof, and a. -widthsu1bstantially equal to the length of the bag, saidcontainer having flaps extending from its edges and adapted to overlap thereacross to thereby envelop articles of clothing, a cover member having acentral rigid portion serving as a bottom therefor and provided with end fastening devices, adapted to engage cooperating devices on said container adjacent its ends and spaced apart a greater distance than the length of member shorter than said container having a central rigid portion serving as a bottom therefor, and coacting fastening devices on the ends of the cover and of the container, the latter being spaced apart a greater distance than the length of said cover, so that the ends of the container must be moved toward each other when the fastening devices are engaged.

3. A removable tray for satchels or traveling bags, comprising a flexible clothing container or tray adapted to be inserted in a satchel or bag transversely thereof with its outer surface conforming to the inner contour of the sides and bottom thereof, its ends extending upwardly along the sides of the bag and movable therewith and a cover member shorter than said container and having flexible sides and a rig'd central portion,

and means for suspending the cover from V-sa-id trey ends.

Aremovable tray for satchels or traving beg omp sing fleXible t ng endmextending upwardly along the sides of the b a g-nnd movable therewith, the backing or outer wall ofseid trey being flexible end resilient-to thereby cause it to spread out wgardly @geinst the'sides of-i-the bag while yieldingfreely tov the movements of ;the beg as it is opened or closed. H

.5; A -;reniova ble itmyfior Satchels or traveling-bags, comprising afiexible =clothing container or tray adapted to Joe inserted in a satchel or bag transversely thereof with its outer surface conforming to the innerconvtoiurof the sides and bottom thereof, its ends .e'xtendjng upwardly along thesides of the b endmovaible therewith, and provided with po ekets lopening'upwardly, thehacking or outer Wall-l of seidtrz y' being-flexible an irresilientwto thereby cause it to spread out weirdly against the sides-ofthe bag zind thus 7, qopiqs of this netenti m a y .be obtainedfor five gents each; by arl dressing theu fidonini ssjioner, .of diatgitj.

separate said pocketed ends when -the .is open. I V

-6. ;A removable trey for Satchels or traveling bags, cpmprisilig ta tlexible clothing icon- 'tblnel' or trey adapted to be inserted in a setohel- -or bag. transrersely thereof with its outer surface eongiorrningto the inner contolir of the sides 31 I1d:b0tt/Om thereof, its, ends extending upwardly ',ailong the sides offlthe bag and movable therewith, and -C16tflOlZl-=:

Jfrom' throughout central; portion, said :central portion fleeingv goroyided with a st ifl"- eningreinforcement, combination with a hammock device #eom prisi-ng rigid side frame members adapted to .extend along the u -pper ends ;o.the trey and an intermedgiateffiexi- -ble portion extending between said frame members, 7 across the interxzenin-g;spacej to serve .as support for af'rt eles qplaoed {thereend as a shield or screenifier-sthe i te 'iQr of theibzigw I In testimony whereof I mjisigna ture.

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